ARLINGTON, Texas — His limp would linger long after USC's Pac-12 title game heartbreak, the pain in his left hamstring a lasting reminder of all that was lost that night in Las Vegas. In the weeks that followed, his coach would caution about the significance of his injury, laying the groundwork for the quarterback to bow out of a bowl game, which, on paper, meant little in the grand scheme of a terrific turnaround season.
Yet to Caleb Williams, there was never a question. USC's Heisman Trophy winner had assured — and reassured — in the aftermath of the loss to Utah that he'd return, and on Sunday morning, his coach would finally confirm his quarterback's plans to play against Tulane in the Cotton Bowl on Monday.
"He's ready to play," Lincoln Riley said. "He's progressed maybe a little faster than what we anticipated. Certainly very fortunate on our part that we had the opportunity to have a month before this game. Had it been even two weeks, I doubt he'd be available."
